That tip about using tape on the anvil is great, forging an ingot to fit in the mill yesterday earned me a smashed finger. The pendulum motor was a game-changer for me, I stopped using the dremel all together for the same reason you mentioned, the high speed destroys bits. It also shatters the thin cutting wheels. The foot pedal means both hands are free on the bench, and the precision upgrade cannot be overstated. I bought one about two years ago for only $55 and it still performs flawlessly. For saving my fingers you just earned another subscriber!
Aluminum knitting needles as mandrels for jump rings! They are available in any mm increment you need. It's an easy way to create uniform rings again and again,
Made a burnisher from an old nail puncher. Winded up solder wire on spools for underthread for sawing machines. The sanding drum mandrels that comes with most Dremel kits fits inside them so it goes super fast to wind them up 🙂 Knife magnets to keep all small tools organised on the side edge of my bench and underneath the shelf. Teachers gum to keep things in place while hammering. Those are the ones that came to mind atm 🙂
I’ve found the small chucks for use on Dremels at Amazon. Great because you don’t have to keep changing collets for different sized bits. Love you and your work, Chad!
I always keep some concrete nails, cut or round will work. I use both. With a little filing, (cut the point off the round ones and file the head) they become very nice decorative stamps. (Hint, keep a rough ball peen hammer for stamping. Don't use one of your polished forging hammers) Regular nails will work, but the concrete nails are made of better steel and last longer.
I use big vise grips to clamp my copper wires together to braid. I wrap the end tightly with duct tape and then clamp it into my vise grips. I hold the vise grips between my knees and braid the wire!
Agree, flexshafts get heavy compared to the light cord a micro motor has. I'm not a huge fan of files so I use machinery a lot, and the difference going from a dremel with flexshaft to a cheap micro motor with foot pedal from Temu was huge! Gave 35 usd for it, and I'm so glad I did.@@chadssilversmithing
I use old chisels and screwdrivers for texturing, and get leather offcuts from a local upholsterer that I use when finishing and also to pad the Jawa of my metal vices. Chad, I’m a keen hobbyist with a fully equipped workshop and I cannot stress how much I love my Saeshin Strong micromotor, I have the normal handpiece and the hammer handpiece. They are so superior to the Dremel. That, along with lots of burrs and I am able to do all types of stone setting nearing professional standards.
Good morning Chad, its always nice and educational to watch your videos.It's wonderful to see how your channel has grown since I started watching you around 400 subcribers. Congratulations... I have come up with an idea,, I called Rio one day to see if they had any small strainers to add to my small pickle pot so my silver balls wouldn't get lost in there. They said no they didn't. So I asked him if it would be ok to use my old Mr. Coffee pot strainer or would it contaminate the pickle and he said no not at all. So I just rinse it really well after each use. So much easier then picking them out one by one with my tweezers.
You can buy inexpensive sets of plastic strainers. Also, a plastic laundry detergent cup/cap with holes poked in it can simply live in your pickle pot. Helps with any small items.
Chad, Harbor Freight has a 1/4 hp rotary tool with foot control for about $45. Foredom knock off. I have been using one for about three years now 0 problems with it. The also have portable desktop with a rechargeable battery for around $35.
This video has inspired me to consider using my pulse inverter TIG machine and micro torch almost like a spot welder. I have used it very effectively for silicon bronze brazing. I will have to experiment and report back. Also look into “DIY welders third hand / arm” I made a few for my TIG welding/Brazing station. I just made a tiny version with a tungsten tip for holding small jewelry parts in place. Nice for when a little weight is needed.
I just saw a vise grip type radiator hose pinch off tool in the Harbor freight catalog for about $10.00 bucks that I think would make good draw tongs if the jaws had some teeth cut in them with a triangular file. they would be nice because the clamp up with the jaws parallel.
It's 100% worth getting the 3 angle mitre vise for a bit more. And, they are made better. The cheap ones can have non-symetrical fittings - which is a bad thing (ask me how I know!😅).
That tip about using tape on the anvil is great, forging an ingot to fit in the mill yesterday earned me a smashed finger. The pendulum motor was a game-changer for me, I stopped using the dremel all together for the same reason you mentioned, the high speed destroys bits. It also shatters the thin cutting wheels. The foot pedal means both hands are free on the bench, and the precision upgrade cannot be overstated. I bought one about two years ago for only $55 and it still performs flawlessly. For saving my fingers you just earned another subscriber!
Thank you Donaria! Thanks for the good info and the nice comment:)
Aluminum knitting needles as mandrels for jump rings! They are available in any mm increment you need. It's an easy way to create uniform rings again and again,
Thanks Bavariangirl! That is an amazingly good idea:)
And cut them in 6" pieces with the size markers on them. I also chuck them into my flex shaft or drill to wind jump rings. Great tip! 🌺
What a great idea!! I have a lot of different sized needles.
Oh, thanks, Chad! NOW I know where to get those compressed cardboard pieces! 😅😅😅
You gotta be sneaky about it:)
Love your channel, and admire your patience, candor, and tenacity.
Thank you Silversleuth! What a nice compliment:)
Congrats on the million!!!!!
Thank you:)
Made a burnisher from an old nail puncher.
Winded up solder wire on spools for underthread for sawing machines. The sanding drum mandrels that comes with most Dremel kits fits inside them so it goes super fast to wind them up 🙂
Knife magnets to keep all small tools organised on the side edge of my bench and underneath the shelf.
Teachers gum to keep things in place while hammering.
Those are the ones that came to mind atm 🙂
What great ideas Elin! Thank you for sharing them!!!
I’ve found the small chucks for use on Dremels at Amazon. Great because you don’t have to keep changing collets for different sized bits. Love you and your work, Chad!
That would be super handy Christine! Good idea:). I'm hoping to get a Foredom one of these days when my ship comes in:)
I always keep some concrete nails, cut or round will work. I use both. With a little filing, (cut the point off the round ones and file the head) they become very nice decorative stamps. (Hint, keep a rough ball peen hammer for stamping. Don't use one of your polished forging hammers) Regular nails will work, but the concrete nails are made of better steel and last longer.
Thank you Eric! Great advice!
Also works to hammer set a bezel! After cleaning it up a bit.
Love the masking tape idea!!!!😂❤❤
Thanks Jwon!
cotton swab and your knowledge sharing is greatly appreciated
Glad to share it Stephen!
I use a half of a wooden clothespin for a bezel pusher, and also to gently stretch out bezels when setting stones.
Creative idea Kim! Thank you for sharing it:)
I use big vise grips to clamp my copper wires together to braid. I wrap the end tightly with duct tape and then clamp it into my vise grips. I hold the vise grips between my knees and braid the wire!
Vise grips are surprisingly useful sometimes! Thanks for the good comment Tammy!
Thank you, I always enjoy your lessons.
Thank you for the nice comment Gisella!
I think Foredom should send you a micromotor to review. Much better than a Flexshaft! You could probably do with a lovely hammer hand piece as well…
Did you hear that Foredom? I'm down with that idea:)
Agree, flexshafts get heavy compared to the light cord a micro motor has. I'm not a huge fan of files so I use machinery a lot, and the difference going from a dremel with flexshaft to a cheap micro motor with foot pedal from Temu was huge! Gave 35 usd for it, and I'm so glad I did.@@chadssilversmithing
I use old chisels and screwdrivers for texturing, and get leather offcuts from a local upholsterer that I use when finishing and also to pad the Jawa of my metal vices. Chad, I’m a keen hobbyist with a fully equipped workshop and I cannot stress how much I love my Saeshin Strong micromotor, I have the normal handpiece and the hammer handpiece. They are so superior to the Dremel. That, along with lots of burrs and I am able to do all types of stone setting nearing professional standards.
Thanks Jules! I will look into it. I appreciate the advice:)
Good morning Chad, its always nice and educational to watch your videos.It's wonderful to see how your channel has grown since I started watching you around 400 subcribers. Congratulations... I have come up with an idea,, I called Rio one day to see if they had any small strainers to add to my small pickle pot so my silver balls wouldn't get lost in there. They said no they didn't. So I asked him if it would be ok to use my old Mr. Coffee pot strainer or would it contaminate the pickle and he said no not at all. So I just rinse it really well after each use. So much easier then picking them out one by one with my tweezers.
Is it made of brass mesh or something? That’s a good idea!
You can buy inexpensive sets of plastic strainers. Also, a plastic laundry detergent cup/cap with holes poked in it can simply live in your pickle pot. Helps with any small items.
@@chadssilversmithing It's a black plastic with tiny mesh wire. It fits great in my mini crock pot warmer and even has a handle.
Glad I found your channel. Great content.
Glad you're here Kathy! I hope you enjoy the rest of the content.
Chad, Harbor Freight has a 1/4 hp rotary tool with foot control for about $45. Foredom knock off. I have been using one for about three years now 0 problems with it. The also have portable desktop with a rechargeable battery for around $35.
Good to know Scarab! I will check it out:)
This video has inspired me to consider using my pulse inverter TIG machine and micro torch almost like a spot welder. I have used it very effectively for silicon bronze brazing. I will have to experiment and report back.
Also look into “DIY welders third hand / arm” I made a few for my TIG welding/Brazing station. I just made a tiny version with a tungsten tip for holding small jewelry parts in place. Nice for when a little weight is needed.
Thank you ZenRacing! Those are interesting ideas:)
I just saw a vise grip type radiator hose pinch off tool in the Harbor freight catalog for about $10.00 bucks that I think would make good draw tongs if the jaws had some teeth cut in them with a triangular file. they would be nice because the clamp up with the jaws parallel.
Thank you Dan! It is surprising how many useful tools they carry.
Awesome video thank you much needed information. We need Pepe tools to sponsor you a flex shaft
Thanks Galaxysparkles! That would be awesome:)
can you pssibly touch upon your begginings and your endevor to overcome the school of hard knocks whimsical in a masterful way
I'll try to talk a little more about those things in future videos!
I love your videos and learn a lot. I have more of a question for you. What is the name of the device you use to file angles on your wires? thanks
Hello Rev2b. They are called Miter vise jigs or Mitre vise jigs:)
It's 100% worth getting the 3 angle mitre vise for a bit more. And, they are made better. The cheap ones can have non-symetrical fittings - which is a bad thing (ask me how I know!😅).